Prayers for Ukraine and Russia amid tensions

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Sergey Rakhuba, President, Russian Ministries, has issued an urgent call for urgent prayer and support for the crisis in Ukraine.

In a message, Rakhuba said, "With new reports raising concerns that Russia and Ukraine may be on the brink of war, my heart bleeds for people on both sides of this conflict. I love the Russian people and have committed my life and ministry to them, but I cannot justify the actions of the Kremlin.

"I urge the global Christian community to join with church leaders and Christians from both of these brother nations to pray and fast for the end to this dangerous situation and for the leaders of these countries."

He went on to say that Alexander Turchinov, the new acting president of Ukraine and an evangelical Christian, has called on his nation and the world to pray.

He added that Yuri Sipko, a prominent evangelical Russian leader and former president of the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Russia, has issued this challenge to the church in Russia to resist pro-war rhetoric and propaganda, and to stand high with their prayers and spiritual responsibility: "Russian churches, as institutions standing guard over spiritual life, must declare their disagreement with lies. Russian churches must stop armed conflict. Russia must not become an aggressor. Too much blood has been spilled by our people, in order to spill the blood of our brother nation of Ukraine. God's Word proclaims, 'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:21). "

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Rakhuba went on to say, "As Christians we know that 'our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms' (Ephesians 6: 12).

"Please pray with us specifically that evil forces would be stopped in any attempt to destabilise, divide and conquer Ukraine and that there would be no bloodshed as a result of this conflict and peace would be restored, the church in Russia and Ukraine would emerge stronger and more unified in order to serve as instruments of reconciliation and peace and to be salt and light to those around them."

He then asked that Christians around the world join with Russian Ministries to "help the suffering Ukrainian people and further God's Kingdom during this time of tribulation", by giving generously to help provide funds to print 200,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke in Ukrainian.

"This special edition Gospel of Luke will help provide spiritual support and will contain prayers for salvation, comfort for individuals and families, healing for the nation, and hope for peace," he said.

"Your generous gifts made it possible to provide 730,000 copies of Scripture in Russia during the recent Winter Olympics, and we are now asking that you help provide Ukraine with copies of the transforming Word of God at this critical time."

He then quoted Edmund Burke, the 18th century Irish statesman who said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Rakhuba concluded by saying, "Your partnership through prayer and financial support is deeply appreciated at this critical time for the future of Eurasia."